Calming the storm {Kaylor}

Chapter 6

Her ecstasy from the night out with Taylor didn't seem to last. Soon after she returned home, grabbed a drink and wanted to relax a little before heading to bed, she looked at her phone. With that, her plans for relaxation came to an end: She saw angry texts and then multiple missed calls from Joshua and some messages from her manager. Well, she thought, so much for an enjoyable night. Let's see what they have to say.

She read Joshua's text messages first:

*Hi Kar, just checking: when are you coming home again? I feel like we need to talk

Uhh, My father just called me: Why are you with Taylor??

The picture is everywhere Karlie, what did you do?? This isn't right for our -my- family

Call me back, will you. Listen. To. Me. *

Karlie noticed that his messages had gradually gone from nice to really angry, and thus, revealing his true colours as time went on. She decided to not call him back, but instead, leave a voice message and send it to him:

"Joshua. Stop with all the anger. Your family is indeed, just your business. I'm tired of cleaning up their mess, I don't even agree with them in the first place. I was out with Taylor because she is pleasant company, a person I admire, and a person who knows what's right and what's wrong. That's more than I can say from you, your family, or the rest of all the people your family is involved with, including the President. I'm tired of cleaning up their messes. And last thing: Don't call me again if you're still angry. The emotion doesn't suit you Josh."

Next was her manager. She had been contracted to her old manager Scott, who was a Kushner family friend. She was always under the impression that the contract with him was airtight and didn't allow for any breathing room. Recently, she had hired a New York lawyer to take another look at the contract and perform thorough analysis.

He had found that by acting on a clause at the end of the contract, it was possible to release herself from the contract with Scott. That way, she had an alley to leave and had taken it. Just a few weeks back, she had hired her new manager, who was recommended to her by her old menor Christy. His name was Alex.

Alex had taken charge of her schedule and all other responsibilities a few weeks ago, and Karlie already noticed that he was very good at his job. And in contrast to her previous manager, he had an informal way of communicating, and felt like a friend, who had her best interests at heart.

Alex had texted her:

*Hi, just got a call from my contacts at the magazine, he got a photo from you and Taylor together. Call me and let me know what your plan is. I'd prefer it if you let me know in advance when you do things like this Kar!*

She called Alex straight away and opened with an apology:

"Hey Al, really sorry I didn't contact you in advance. It's been a rollercoaster the past few hours, but my evening with Taylor went well."

"You're all good, we'll just improve our communication in the future. So, what's the plan? You're teaming up with Taylor again? Does Josh and his family agree?"

"No, that's kind of the whole point. Speaking of that, can you contact that lawyer again and set up a meeting in the next few weeks. I need to see him in regards to my marriage to Joshua. I want a divorce, I think."

"Alright, new info as well. Will do. I'll add it to your schedule when we have the meeting. So, with Taylor, what's the end game?", her manager asked.

"I'm fed up with the Kushner family, and in general, their wider family disrespecting women and other groups. After that Taylor speech they were all really disrespectful. So, I came up with this plan to be spotted out with Taylor more, infuriating the Kushners and maybe even the White House if we're lucky and if he's not busy playing golf. And then, when I'm out of the family, I'll make a statement about the importance of voting and whatever, and hopefully the Kushner/Trump era comes to an end next election."

"Ambitious plan!" , Alex laughed, "I like it. You have a following, and there'll be a lot of press attention for it. As your manager I do need to warn you with these kinds of big plans: They are very powerful, are you up for the battle?"

Karlie affirmed: "Yes Al, I'm ready. Let's get to work!"

////

The next day, Karlie was a little late for her meeting at IMG: going over her schedule for the next few weeks and taking some new polaroids. She quickly got dressed, grabbed a banana and headed out the door. Unfortunately for her, she wasn't alone.

Paparazzi. This time not the one, that she'd called in advance the previous night, but numerous cameras flashing and men shouting:

"Good morning Karlie!

Look here, look here. Why were you with Taylor?

Are you in a fight with Joshua?

How is your relationship with your inlaws? Are they mad?"

Karlie decided to ignore them, walking on instead. She was going to give them bits of information in the future, but only on her terms. Currently, she was just very late.

On her way, she texted Alex: "Loads of paps at the house this morning. Can you get some extra security for the following days? We'll give them photos and interviews later, just when we want to and plan it. Kar"

When she arrived at IMG, there was a man waiting for her. She recognised him immediately, and groaned. Not Charles Kushner, head of the family, right here in the morning.

"Hi missy, sleep well? Thought I'd come check where our model of the family worked." Charles said, condescendingly.

Karlie wasn't having any of it: "I'm actually late for a meeting. What do you want? Why did you not just go to Joshua?"

"Joshua and you haven't been talking, I know that much. I also know that you were spotted with Ms. Singer-songwriter yesterday, and I wasn't too pleased. What you're doing right now is showing that you agree with her, and we don't want that. You're hurting the family by hanging out with that socialist singer."

Karlie scoffed, and responded: "You're only making it worse Charles, by coming here. This is an invasion of my privacy. Please leave, I'll do what I want. And also, it's better to be called a socialist, than to be a part of your toxic 'family' principles. You're just as bad as that other old man in the White House."

"You know, you really shouldn't insult our President like that, and our family neither. We know some powerful people, Karlie, and aren't afraid to use our power. For now, just stop your contact with that singer girl and go home to Joshua. Your husband."

Karlie broke the conversation with Charles Kushner, and said: "I'm going to go now. I don't plan on coming back to Joshua anytime soon. And with that, my so-called 'family loyalty' is over too." With that, she walked into her meeting.

///

Getting back home after that long day was like reaching a safe haven for Karlie. After the aggressive contact from Joshua, and then the ever condescending Charles stopping by too had drained Karlie from all her energy. All she wanted to do was kick back, get some food in her and maybe watch a movie. Luckily, her security had cleared the sidewalk near her apartment of paparazzi, so she could enter her home without any problems. And with home, she meant her own apartment. She had ignored Charles 'suggestion' and didn't go home to or contact Joshua.

After recharging for a little while, she texts a few people: She texts Alex to get the info on meeting with the divorce lawyer, and texts Taylor.

Hey Tay, I had a busy day today with Kushners wanting to talk to me. I wasn't having it. Are you up for lunch and maybe a walk through Central Park? Let me know if you're free tomorrow! Already look forward to seeing you :) xx Karlie.

She cleaned her apartment up and was ready to go to bed, when she heard an incoming notification:

Sounds good, actually I am free tomorrow! Pick me up at 1PM Kar? X Tay.

[A/N

Not a lot of Kaylor content in this chapter. I think the chapter was essential for plot building though, so I hope you'll still enjoy it :) Planning to upload another chapter this weekend, stay tuned!]